In Review – WaiWela WM-1.0 1.3-Gallon Mini Tank Water Heater

When looking for a mini tank water heater, the WaiWela WM-1.0 should be one of the considerations. It might not be the first product that will come into your mind when talking about point-of-use water heaters. However, it does not necessarily mean it is not worth the investment. Read on to see if it is a good fit.

The WaiWela WM-1.0 is designed for under the sink applications at the point of use. It weighs merely 12 1/2 lbs (empty) and measures 12 1/2” (H) x 11” (W) x 10” (D). Designed to be mounted on the wall, it can only be installed in vertical position. The power cord plugs into a 110-120 V/AC receptacle. When it comes to amperage, this unit is rated at 12 amp (1440 watts).

The volume of the tank of water is 1.3 gallons. With a relatively small tank, space will not be a concern. Just keep in mind that this model is not intended for showers or filling tubs. Consider to get the bigger model if that is what you want. There are three bigger tank models offered by the company (2.5, 4.0, and 6.0 gallons) in case you want a unit that offers a longer continuous run time.

Model

WM-1.0

WM-2.5

WM-4.0

WM-6.0

Capacity (Gallons)

1.3

2.5

4.0

6.0

Power (Watts)

1440

1440

1440

1440

Max. Water Pressure (psi)

150

150

150

150

Weight (lbs)

12 1/2

20

24

26

Amperage (Amps)

12

12

12

12

Phases

1

1

1

1

The mini tank unit is designed to operate at 150 psi maximum water pressure. Equipped with a stainless steel heating element, it offers temperatures from 50 ° -140 ° F. An adjustable thermostat allows you to control water temperature. You can increase or decrease water temperature by turning the temperature adjusting knob. An indicator light tells you when the water is being heated.

In terms of safety, the 120V water heater is equipped with an overheat limiting device that will interrupt the power supply in the event of a thermostat failure. To guard against freezing, turn the thermostat or temperature adjusting knob to the snowflake position. In the Freeze Protection position, the internal water temperature will be kept above the freezing point.

Priced around $170, the WaiWela WM-1.0 is an affordable solution for anyone who like instant hot water for hand washing. As of this writing, the mini heater has been reviewed by 26 customers on Amazon. With an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.0, it is clear what users think of this product.

The electric cord is about 3ft long, something that you need to take into account if you do not have an outlet in the right spot. There are also few complaints that this unit does not control the temperature very well. That said, this is a common complaint of water heaters. The majority of reviewers seem very happy with their purchase.

Coming with a glass lined tank, many people have found that it does a good job of heating water. It seems to heat the water fairly fast. Clearly, for point-of-use sink work, like hand washing or shaving, many reviewers have reported that it serves their needs well.

This model has 1/2″ inlet and outlet connections. According to the manual, mounting hardware is included for wall or floor installation. The fact that it runs on 110 Volts means that no special wiring is required. The simple On/Off toggle that comes with an indicator light is another plus point of the 1.3-Gallon water heater.

The WaiWela mini tank unit may or may not work for you. However, if all you need is a lightweight, compact water heater which is manufactured for easy installation, then based on the customer feedback this product should fit your needs.